The Butcher’s Broom has several common names like- Ruscus aculeatus, Fragon, Balai du Boucher, Box Holly, Houx Frelon, Fragon Piquant, etc.

Habitat

This plant is indigenous to southern and western Europe, including southern to northern England, southwestern Asia, Macaronesia, northwestern Africa, and other places. The Butcher’s Broom plant prefers moist, well-drained locations1, with partial to full shade. But it readjusts to almost every type of soil. The plant is drought-tolerant and is an excellent alternative for woodland.

Butcher's Broom

Butcher’s Broom

Taxonomic information

Order: Asparagales

Family: Asparagaceae

Subfamily: Nolinoideae

Genus: Ruscus

Species: R. aculeatus

 

Description

It is a low evergreen plant, generally grows up to 2 to 3 feet tall. The actual leaves of this shrub are microscopic. It has flat shoots and spine-tipped leaves. In spring, small greenish flowers develop and are exhibited singly in the middle of the cladodes. A reddish berry fruit supports the female flowers.

 

Part used

The Butcher’s broom plant’s root is used for medicinal purposes.

butcher`s broom flower

Chemical constituents

The main active ingredients2 of Ruscus aculeatus are the neoruscogenin and steroidal saponins ruscogenin. The plant also holds additional steroidal saponins and sapogenins, flavonoids, sterols, fatty acids, coumarins, sparteine, glycolic acid, and tyramine.

 

Traditional Uses and benefits

The Butcher’s broom plant is used in herbal and classic medicines for various reasons.

  1. It can increase blood circulation and effective in hemorrhoid remedy.
  2. The Butcher’s broom can decrease pain, swelling, cramps in grown-ups with CVI.
  3. The Ruscus aculea reduces Inflammation and is helpful for Orthostatic Hypotension treatment.
  4. This plant is helpful in the treatment of a variety of ailments.
  5. Butcher’s broom can speed up the recovery process of fractures.
  6. The Butcher’s broom can eliminate the marks of aging if applied to the skin.
  7. The Ruscus aculeatus plant contains some antibacterial compounds, which help manufacture insect repellent.
  8. Some people believe that when Butcher’s broom is combined with wine, it can eliminate kidney stones.

View of Ruscus aculeatus, known as butcher’s-broom

Dosage and Precautions

The dose depends on the age, sex, and situation of the case. It’s advised to consult a doctor before administering any Ruscus aculea-containing medications.

Toxicity

The berries are poisonous and can have a lousy health impact. If ingested, they induce digestive problems and can cause damage to red blood cells. The plant can cause long-term health impacts if not administered appropriately. It also contains unknown antibacterial oils, which are harmful to humans if consumed raw.

Warning

Administering Ruscus aculeatus containing drugs orally longtime and rapid doses can provoke vomiting3, nausea, stomach upset, diarrhea. It may create allergic effects and symptoms of heartburn for some peoples when used to the skin. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, this plant-containing drug is not recommended. This plant-containing drug can interact with other medications, so consult a doctor before buying any butcher’s broom medicine. Using Butcher’s broom with stimulant medicines might induce too much stimulation for several cases. If intended for children’s use, consult a pharmacist or doctor first.

 

 

DISCLAIMER

The content and information on newerapost for information and educational purposes only. It is not for self-diagnosis and self-treatment. The content is not a medical manual. Before beginning the use of any prescription, medication and pursuing any self-treatment, all readers should consult a physician.

The information given in this article is intended to help you make informed decisions for your health. You must consult with your doctor before pursuing any natural remedies if you are under care for any health condition.

Do not take any vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other supplements without consulting your doctor, if you are taking any medication. The website does not make a representation, express or implied, regarding the accuracy of the information and does not accept any single responsibility for any errors or misuse.

 

Reference

  1. Wll-drained locations: Retrieved from the wikipedia.org website. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruscus_aculeatus
  2. Active ingredients: Retrieved from the healthline.com website. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/butchers-broom
  3. Provoke vomiting: Retrieved from webmd.com website. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-320/butchers-broom